Solar battery module

Abstract

Disclosed is a solar cell module. The solar cell module includes a support substrate; a plurality of solar cells on a front surface of the support substrate; a bus bar electrically connected to the solar cells; and a cover member surrounding the bus bar, wherein the bus bar extends along an edge of the front surface of the support substrate to an edge of a rear surface of the support surface.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A solar cell module comprising:
 a support substrate including a front surface and a rear surface opposite the front surface; 
 a plurality of solar cells on the front surface of the support substrate; 
 a bus bar electrically connected to the plurality of solar cells; and 
 a cover member; 
 wherein the bus bar comprises a first bus bar and a second bus bar, wherein the first bus bar includes:
 a first portion extending linearly in an extension direction adjacent and parallel to a first edge of the front surface of the support substrate, the first portion extending substantially an entire length of the support substrate, 
 a second portion extending parallel to a lateral side surface of the support substrate and perpendicular to the first portion of the first bus bar, and 
 a third portion extending on the rear surface of the support substrate parallel to the first portion of the first bus bar such that the first portion of the first bus bar on the front surface of the support substrate overlaps the third portion of the first bus bar on the rear surface of the support substrate; 
 
 wherein the second bus bar includes:
 a first portion extending linearly in the extension direction adjacent to a second edge of the front surface of the support substrate that is parallel to and opposite the first edge of the front surface of the support substrate, the first portion extending substantially the entire length of the support substrate, 
 a second portion extending parallel to the lateral side surface of the support substrate and perpendicular to the first portion of the second bus bar, and 
 a third portion extending on the rear surface of the support substrate parallel to the first portion of the second bus bar such that the first portion of the second bus bar on the front surface of the support substrate overlaps the third portion of the second bus bar on the rear surface of the support substrate; 
 
 wherein the cover member comprises a first cover member portion that extends in a same direction as the extension direction, and the cover member comprises a second cover member portion that extends in the same direction as the extension direction, the first and second cover member portions surrounding the first and second bus bars, respectively, 
 wherein the first cover member portion covers an entire upper surface of the first portion of the first bus bar, and the second cover member portion covers an entire upper surface of the first portion of the second bus bar, 
 wherein the first and second cover member portions each surround the front surface of the support substrate, the lateral side surface of the support substrate, and the rear surface of the support substrate at the first and second edges of the support substrate, respectively, 
 wherein the cover member includes a resin-based material, the resin-based material including at least one of silicon resin, rubber, epoxy, and plastic, 
 wherein a coupling member is disposed on an outer surface of the cover member, 
 wherein a portion of the coupling member is formed in an edge area of the support substrate, 
 wherein the cover member is disposed between the support substrate and the coupling member, and 
 wherein the coupling member is not in direct physical contact with the plurality of solar cells.